AL Wild Card Recap: Blue Jays Beat Orioles, 5-2, on Walk-Off

Edwin Encarnacion hit a game-winning, three-run home run in the 11th inning, and the Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles, 5-2, in the American League Wild Card game in Toronto on Tuesday night.

With the win, the Blue Jays advanced to face the A.L. West-champion Texas Rangers in the American League Divisional Series on Thursday in Arlington, Tex.

Encarnacion’s home run came off Oriole pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, who is normally a starter. He relieved Brian Duensing with one out in the 11th, and allowed singles to Devon Travis and Josh Donaldson before Encarnacion’s triumphant blast sent Toronto into the next round of the playoffs.

Baltimore manager Buck Showalter never went to closer Zach Britton, who saved all 47 chances during the 2016 regular season.

Francisco Liriano got the win for the Blue Jays. He retired five straight O’s in extra innings prior to the walk-off home run.

Toronto’s Jose Bautista hit a solo homer in the second inning, only to have MLB HR king Mark Trumbo retort with a two-run homer for Baltimore in the fourth.

The Jays tied the game on an Ezequiel Carrera single in the fifth, setting the stage for Encarnacion’s late heroics.